Meanwhile, one must also be aware that the martyred Leader, Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei, had expanded the role and nature of marja' al-taqlid in a broader and somewhat different way, making it more inclusive and accessible than a model limited to followers under a single authority and a single series of risalah amaliyah. The martyred Imam did not actively promote his own marja'iyyah or invite followers in major countries where his following could have expanded. This appears to have been intentional, allowing a greater degree of ikhlas (sincerity and spiritual purity) and inkisari (humility and self-effacement), while avoiding an excessive personality-centered model of religious emulation.

As a marja' al-taqlid himself, he had millions of muqallids, reportedly second only to Ayatollah Sistani in terms of the scale of his following. Yet he maintained an open approach in which many of his risalahs and books incorporated or acknowledged the opinions of other maraji'. He also allowed his followers to refer to other maraji' on specific issues where appropriate. This approach created a more flexible model of taqlid, in which adherence to one marja' did not necessarily mean complete exclusion of the scholarly opinions of others.

Ayatollah Sistani has similarly maintained a position that allows his followers, under certain circumstances, to refer to the a'lam among other qualified maraji' for specific questions or issues, particularly where particular rulings or sensitive matters require further consideration. This demonstrates that the practical tradition of taqlid has not always been as rigidly centralized as it is sometimes portrayed.

With the passing of the martyred Imam, the question now becomes more significant: how will this broader concept of taqlid and reference to multiple maraji' develop under Imam Mujtaba Khamenei? It will be particularly interesting to observe whether his approach continues the practice of allowing followers to consult other recognized maraji' for specific rulings, or whether he develops a distinct doctrinal framework for contemporary marja'iyyah.

There are already indications that his jurisprudential approach may be both clear and comprehensive, with rulings that sometimes resemble those of his father while providing broader explanations and greater elaboration. His discussions during dars al-kharij and meetings with scholars and experts may offer further insight into how he understands the relationship between his own jurisprudential authority, the opinions of other maraji', and the practical needs of Muslims seeking guidance.

Ultimately, the development of marja'iyyah under Imam Mujtaba Khamenei may become one of the significant questions for the contemporary Shi'a scholarly establishment. The issue is not simply who will be followed, but what model of religious emulation will emerge: whether it will remain centered around a single personality, develop as a more plural and interconnected system of qualified authorities, or establish a new balance between individual marja'iyyah and broader collective scholarly consultation.

🔹@enemywatch

🇮🇷 | Hossein Pak writes:

For managing a strategic passage, if you choose a partner while already knowing that they lack the capacity to withstand the pressure resulting from that partnership, then you have not designed a strategic partnership; you have designed an “exit route” for the day when pressure comes. And then, when everything reaches its predictable outcome, the entire situation cannot be explained with a few statements about the enemy’s broken promises. The enemy is untrustworthy. Precisely for this reason, you were sent to the negotiating table to design a mechanism whose implementation does not depend on the goodwill of the enemy or the enemy’s allies. Most bitter of all, however, is that our dear colleagues are not only unwilling to reconsider these mechanisms; they also refuse to accept technical criticism of these obvious mistakes. And perhaps this is even more dangerous than the two flawed mechanisms themselves.

🔹@enemywatch

🇮🇳| 🇵🇰| 🇺🇸 | The Srinagar pivot: Washington shifts the Chessboard in South Asia:

The diplomatic landscape surrounding Kashmir has entered a tense phase, largely catalyzed by a notable pivot in Washington's engagement strategy. By sending US Ambassador Sergio Gor to Srinagar and publicly characterizing Jammu and Kashmir as an "important part of India," Washington has delivered a major diplomatic endorsement to New Delhi.

This stance, coupled with hints of lowering the US travel advisory for the region, signals a clear foreign policy shift that emphasizes India's territorial integrity and governance while effectively sidelining Islamabad's long-standing internationalization efforts. In response, a rattled Pakistan summoned top American diplomats to reject the remarks, triggering immediate tit-for-tat bureaucratic friction exemplified by the clearing of security barricades outside their respective high commissions in New Delhi and Islamabad.

At the same time, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is facing severe internal instability that exacerbates Islamabad's geopolitical vulnerabilities. Deepening public anger over soaring inflation, basic resource shortages, and political disenfranchisement has ignited mass protests across the territory under the Joint Awami Action Committee.

Protesters have rejected the regional electoral process, specifically protesting Islamabad’s manipulation of reserved refugee seats to maintain control over the local legislature. Rather than addressing these structural economic and political grievances, Pakistani authorities have responded with heavy-handed security force deployments, internet blackouts, and accusations blaming Indian covert interference, further fueling civil unrest and weakening Islamabad's internal authority over PoK.

Washington is poised to deepen its strategic alignment with New Delhi, leveraging a stable Jammu and Kashmir as a counterweight in South Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific, which will likely lead to the formal easing of Western travel advisories. Deprived of international diplomatic backing for its Kashmir stance, Pakistan will likely face compounding domestic instability in PoK, where civilian protests against federal economic neglect are expected to intensify despite severe military crackdowns. While bilateral relations between India and Pakistan will remain severely chilled and prone to aggressive diplomatic posturing, Washington's explicit stance makes it increasingly difficult for Islamabad to alter the territorial status quo through diplomatic channels.

It seems that India, with American support, is striving to tighten its grip over oppressed Kashmir for its own benefits, and will engage in adventuring on the Pakistani side of Kashmir. Both Pakistan-administered and Indian-administered Kashmir are going to face more pressure, targetings, and year-long suffering.

🔹@enemywatch

— Israel has somehow occupied a large part of Lebanon on a seemingly permanent basis, established a military presence roughly 40 km deeper inside Syria, maintained control over almost the entirety of Gaza, and is now expanding its control and influence across the West Bank. Recent reporting describes Israeli military control over substantial areas of Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, while developments in the West Bank indicate further moves toward consolidating Israeli control there.

🔹@enemywatch

A traffic accident involving Jaysh al-Halqa (al-Halqa gangs) on the Homs-Homsiyah road resulted in the death of a leader and injuries to a number of members of the "Ministry of Defense" of the terrorist organization.

They don't know how to drive. 😄 (Alawite Mountains)

📣 | Updates:

🇮🇷 Iran

Iran’s police announced the seizure of 17.7 tons of various narcotics, 786,000 liters of smuggled fuel, and 430 firearms, including 118 military weapons and 312 hunting weapons, during a nationwide operation carried out over the past 48 hours.

The General Manager of Hormozgan Airports also announced that direct flights from Bandar Abbas to Rasht and Gorgan have resumed after a suspension that lasted several months.

The American Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities linked to Iran, Hezbollah, Russia, and Cuba. According to the announcement, three Turkish citizens were sanctioned over alleged links to Iran, while seven other individuals were sanctioned over alleged links to Hezbollah, including one Iranian citizen.

🇾🇪 Yemen

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a security incident 136 nautical miles east of Mukalla, Yemen.

Omar Al-Bukaiti, spokesperson for the Yemeni government, said that since July 20, the Yemeni Armed Forces have established several new military equations against Saudi Arabia, including “blockade in exchange for blockade,” “protecting Yemen’s sovereignty against any violation,” and “targeting Saudi military gatherings wherever they are located.” He said Yemeni forces have blocked the passage of 48 ships through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea and targeted eight Saudi oil tankers, while continuing to monitor Saudi shipping in the region.

Senior Ansar Allah official Mohammed Al-Farrah dismissed claims by Saudi media that drone attacks against Ansar Allah represented a military breakthrough, arguing that Saudi proxy forces and their allies have failed to achieve their objectives despite years of military operations and are attempting to portray limited drone attacks as a major victory through media propaganda.

🇱🇧 Lebanon

Israeli forces continued military operations across southern Lebanon with artillery shelling targeting Mays al-Jabal, Barashit, Talouseh, Al-Mansouri, the outskirts of Mayfadoun, Hadatha, Al-Tiri, Sarbin, Wadi al-Saloqi, Douha Kfar Rumman, Ali al-Taher, Shebaa, Houla, and the outskirts of Shaqra.

Airstrikes targeted the Dubsha area near Douha Kfar Rumman and Douha Kfarman, while explosions were reported in Mays al-Jabal, the Al-Mansouri area, Zawtar al-Sharqiyah toward Yihmur al-Shaqif, and Al-Tiri.

Israeli forces also carried out machine-gun fire toward Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Hadatha, Talouseh, Al-Mansouri, and other areas. Drones dropped sound bombs and explosive materials over Al-Mansouri and Ali al-Taher, while smoke bombs were reported in Mays al-Jabal.

A house was reportedly set on fire in Talouseh, and Israeli military vehicles were seen moving from Al-Taybeh toward Al-Qantara, as well as inside Hadatha.

🇵🇸 Palestine

A Palestinian was reportedly shot and killed after carrying out what Israeli authorities described as a stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers near Jenin in the northern West Bank.

🇵🇰 Pakistan

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and current prisoner, has reportedly been transferred to a private hospital in Islamabad for medical treatment.

🏴‍☠️ 🇨🇳 American and China

China called on the American administration to immediately withdraw new Section 232 tariffs on imported drones and drone components. Beijing said the tariffs misuse national-security concerns, discriminate against Chinese products, disrupt global drone supply chains, and undermine fair competition. The tariffs, announced by Donald Trump, range from 25% to 100% and are scheduled to take effect on September 3, with China being the primary target of the measures.

🔹@enemywatch